Indiana Library Federation - ILF

When communities invest in libraries, everyone benefits.

This column provides a powerful reminder that libraries fuel education, support workforce development, preserve local connections, and create opportunities for people of all ages. The impact of a strong library extends far beyond its walls.

We're proud to support and advocate for Indiana libraries and the essential role they play in building stronger communities.

View the full article here: https://ow.ly/omMk50Zx9Ub

The receipt that proves your library is worth every tax dollar | Davich A due-date slip showing $70 in savings is a powerful reminder that libraries deliver one of the biggest returns on taxpayer dollars—just as new laws tighten their budgets.

School Librarians do far more than manage books.

They teach digital citizenship, foster literacy, support students, and help create welcoming learning environments for all. Thank you to school librarians and library staff for the countless ways you help students succeed every day.

When we talk about teachers, most of us would tend to think of in-classroom instruction. Someone at the white board giving a lesson on math, science, history, etc... There are so many other educators in our school district who are working to ensure our students have access to appropriate materials and teaching lessons that are important in their own right even if they are not about calculating the hypotenuse of a right triangle or how photosynthesis works.

Today I had the chance to spend some time with these folks that are not direct classroom teachers necessarily, but very important to the overall well-being of our district. I was fortunate enough to spend a couple hours at the Little Turtle Elementary School library with Jennifer Brower and Ms. JoAn Butler. Jennifer has spent a good portion of her summer organizing the LTES library and setting it up for the coming year. We discussed the basket filing system (new for this year!) in the picture below and how that tends to favor younger readers because they can sort through the basket and look at all the book titles and covers instead of just seeing the spines of the books on a shelf.

We also discussed the other roles the library staff in the district fill. One of the increasingly important subjects the library staff gives lessons on is "Digital Citizenship". What's "Digital Citizenship" you ask? I am simplifying greatly here, but it is about learning to use technology responsibly, safely, and respectfully. In today's technology-driven world these skills are becoming more important than ever and mean different things for different grade levels. Younger students will learn about how to use the Internet to look up information and get early lessons on how to tell if a source is trustworthy/safe to access. Middle school students may get a crash course on use of email and the attendant etiquette that comes with it. (Such as: Don't email your teacher demanding to know why they have not graded your math homework yet.)

We also discussed the criteria behind choosing books to house in the libraries across the district. Jennifer and the librarians look at a variety of factors such as: are the books in the appropriate maturity level for the school they are going to? Do we have an interest in certain books from the students? Does this book fill a gap in subject matter that may have been missing? We also discussed the process if a book is challenged due to its content not being appropriate and how that process flows to a resolution.

I came away with a great appreciation for our library staff and all of the work they put in both in and out of the book stacks. They help with recess and lunch coverage, serve as substitute teachers, assist with pick-up and drop-off, and a host of other jobs that need to be done. Your students may not interact with them every day, but they are always working to provide the best learning environment for our kids.

Jennifer and JoAn - I appreciate both of you giving me your time today to talk about the role of our libraries and librarians. Thank you for keeping your focus on positive outcomes and thank you for always putting our students first.

We're excited to officially announce a new partnership between the Indiana Library Federation and Mental Health America of Indiana.

By working together, ILF and Mental Health America of Indiana will provide Indiana library professionals with new opportunities to strengthen their skills, expand their resources, and better support the communities they serve. The partnership was showcased on WTHR this past Friday. Can you spot our own, Lisa Lintner?

https://ow.ly/a3op50ZtCM2

More details, training opportunities, and registration information will be coming soon. We are excited to share what's ahead.

More than books | Pilot program trains Hoosier librarians to spot a visitor in crisis, what to do next Libraries have long served as community gathering places. Many are now also on the front lines of mental health.

The conversations, ideas, connections, and inspiration that shape Indiana libraries happen at the ILF Annual Conference. Now is the time to secure your spot. Our full conference schedule should be released by Monday, July 27th.

Early Bird registration for the 2026 ILF Annual Conference is ending soon. Don't miss your chance to save on registration and join colleagues from across the state in Indianapolis this November.

Learn more and register: https://ow.ly/H0jt50Zs2BR

A huge congratulations to Grace Biermann, a writer and librarian from Valparaiso, Indiana, on her impressive Jeopardy! victory! Grace's strategic $10,000 Daily Double wager helped secure a runaway win and a one-day total of $32,000.

Even more inspiring, she shared her desire to see more women succeed on the iconic quiz show and intentionally embraced confident, bold gameplay. We're proud to see an Indiana librarian shining on the national stage!

Yesterday’s ILF Board Meeting brought together library leaders from across Indiana for productive discussions, strategic planning, and collaboration as we continue advancing the mission of the Indiana Library Federation.

Thank you to our dedicated Board members for your time, insight, and leadership. A special thank you to Marian University Indianapolis for graciously hosting us and providing such a welcoming space for the day. We appreciate your partnership and support of Indiana libraries.

Time to act and protect the Freedom to Read is NOW! Follow the American Library Association guide to tell your representatives NO.

NEW: A federal book banning bill has been introduced in the Senate. It's time to make our voices heard and protect the freedom to read.

Tell your Senators to REJECT pro-censorship legislation like S. 4925 that would limit people's freedom to read. We need every advocate to speak out against censorship: action.ala.org/campaign/S4925

Last Friday, library leaders from across Indiana gathered at Anderson Public Library for the ILF Budget Workshop. We had a full day of learning, collaboration, and strategic planning focused on strengthening our libraries and the communities they serve. The workshop was presented by the Budget Tactical Team and brought together participants for an engaging and productive day of discussion and problem-solving.

A huge thank you to Lynn Hobbs with Friends of the Pendleton Community Library, Edra Waterman with Anderson Public Library, and the entire Budget Tactical Team for their leadership, expertise, and hard work in making this workshop such a success. Your dedication continues to help Indiana libraries navigate challenges and plan confidently for the future.

Congratulations to Indiana’s own Mahasin Ameen on receiving the prestigious 2026 I Love My Librarian Award from the American Library Association! Mahasin was recognized at the ALA Annual Conference in Chicago in late June for her outstanding service, leadership, and impact on students and communities across Indiana. The award was presented by Cindy Hohl, 2024–2025 ALA President.

We are proud to celebrate Mahasin’s dedication to advancing information literacy, access, and equity through librarianship. Indiana is fortunate to have such an inspiring leader representing our profession on the national stage.

Congratulations, Mahasin—we’re cheering you on! 📚❤️

From today’s American Library Association (ALA) Chapter Leaders Forum, our Executive Director, Kyle Hickman, had the honor of presenting on financial management for associations. His session explored key topics including budgeting, financial oversight, governance, and sustainability, helping equip association leaders with the tools they need for long-term success. If you're attending ALA this weekend, be sure to keep an eye out for ILF members and leaders representing Indiana libraries, sharing their expertise, and engaging in conversations that strengthen our profession.